KANPUR: Day 1 of the second Test between India and Bangladesh came to a premature end due to bad light followed by heavy rain, with the visitors managing 107-3 before the interruption on Friday. Mominul Haque (40*) and Mushfiqur Rahim (6*) were at the crease when dark clouds made visibility difficult, forcing the umpires to call for an early break after lunch.
The game could potentially mark the last Test appearance for Bangladesh’s former captain, Shakib Al Hasan, who recently announced his retirement from international cricket, pending availability for a future series against South Africa.
The dim light eventually gave way to torrential rain, and the match was called off after the covers were laid on the pitch. More rain is forecast for Saturday, raising concerns about further disruptions in the northern Indian city.
Earlier in the day, India, leading the two-match series 1-0, opted to field first in overcast conditions. Fast bowler Akash Deep justified skipper Rohit Sharma’s decision by striking twice in the first hour. He dismissed opener Zakir Hasan for a duck and trapped Shadman Islam lbw for 24, both deliveries testing the left-handers.
Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, who contributed 31 runs, partnered with Mominul Haque to steady Bangladesh’s innings with a 51-run stand. However, Ravichandran Ashwin, the hero from the first Test, broke the partnership post-lunch by trapping Najmul lbw with a well-flighted delivery.
India’s bowlers, including the seamers, continued to trouble the Bangladeshi batsmen, consistently beating the bat. The home side, unchanged from their first Test win, is looking to extend their dominance and remain on top of the World Test Championship standings.
With Bangladesh’s ex-captain Shakib’s future in doubt, the match holds significance, but the weather threatens to play a major role in the outcome. India, having won the first Test convincingly in Chennai, are favored to sweep the series.
